Truss.



TITRE STATES PATEN T FFIQE.

WALLACE WENZEL, OF HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS.

TRUSS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 2a, 191'?.

Application :filed June 28, 1916. Serial No. 106,377'.

cured in pl provided with a cover or protector, together with such auxiliary and subsidiary parts and members as may be needed truss complete and serviceable, all as hereinafter set forth.

without liability of displacement, on the part of the pad or pads, due to any action or movement of the body or legs of the person wearing the saine.

prefer to employ a metallic ventilated by means of perforations, not only in the r' of said pad, and the consequent circulation, to some extent at least, therethrough. The presence of the perforations in the back side of the pad may cause an irritation of the skin, and sometimes hairs on the bod catch in the perforated parts, and in the pad connections as well, and are pulled, wherefore a further object of the invention is to prevent such undesirable results, which I do by introducing a protector between said pad and its connections and the body. The aforesaid protector prevents the metal of the pad and connections from coming into direct contact with the flesh, without, however, decreasing the efficiency of the p object is to provide convenient, secure, and ecient means wherewith or whereby the pad and straps can be readily connected and disconnected.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the course of the following description.

I attain the objects and secure the advantages of my invention by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which` Figure l is a perspective view of a double truss which embodies a practical form of my invention, the lefthand protector bein0V closed and secured in place on its pad, while arrow, in Fig. l; through one of the pads, on lines 3*, looking in the direction of the associated arrow, Fig. l; Fig. a, an inside elevation of the front section of one of said pads, showing the interior members; Fig. 5, a detail spring, and, Fig. 6, a

of connection between helical spring and" scale than connections, the truss becomes a single truss.

he truss comprises, with two pads l and said straps 5, employing clasps 7-7 of special construction with which to secure the free ends of the belt i" the perineal straps.

Each clasp Z comprises two longitudinal slots 8 and two transverse slots 9. The clasps are mounted for adjustment on the belt 4 which passes through the slots 8. The terminals, as l0 and 1l, of the belt 4 are passed through the slots 8 in one of the clasps 7, the left-liand clasp in this case, and moved and replaced, they being removed after proper adjustment such terminals are when soiled and it is necessary either to left and they are held in place by reason of cleanse them or throw away the old and subthe frictional resistance which exists bestitute new protectors.

5 tween the contiguous parts. The free ends Each pad 1 has in the front side thereof 7@ of the straps 5 are adjustably secured to the three radial slots 2a, and is equipped with clasps 7 by passing the inner or front terthe same number of radially-movable posts minal laps (12) up and through the bottom 25. Each post 25 extends forward through slots 9, and up again and through the upper and beyond and operates in the slots 24.

i 10 slots .9, leaving the extreme end portions The fasteners 17 are permanently attached 75 hanging, as at 13, and by passing the outer at their upper ends to the outer ends of the or rear terminal laps (1a) up and through lowermost posts 25. The other posts 25 said upper slots9, on top of the laps 12, and have at their outer ends heads, sucli as are down in front of said laps 12 and through indicated at 26, or each of such posts may 15 said bottom slots under said laps 12, leaving assume the forni of a lioolr at the outer end, 80 they extreme end portions hanging, as at 15. as represented at 27 in Eig. 5. 1n the event Thus adjustable connections are formed for fasteners 16 be substituted for the fasteners the perineal straps 5 relative to the belt 1, 17 all of the posts 25 will have the heads such connections being of the friction va- 26, or equivalent members, which are adapt- 20 riety similar to those of the belt terminals, ed to engage and assist in 'retaining said 85 so that the rear looped terminals of said fasteners 15 in place. The inner portion straps can be located, secured, and supported of each post is securely attached to the at the most advantageous points. outer terminal of a helical spring 28, as by The clasps 7 are especially adapted for means of a nut 29 tapped onto said post and 25 my purpose because they are flat, and even binding said spring terminal between said 90 though tongueless afford the necessary senut and a shoulder on said post, as best curity, owing to the frictional resistance shown in Eig. 5. The inner part of each that exists when said clasps are in place post is turned down or reduced in diameter on the belt 4: and the straps 5 are attached to forni the shoulder 30, and the outer ter- 30 to the clasps. Being without tongues the minal of the attached. spring 28 encircles 95 clasps 7 can very readily be adjusted on the such reduced part of said post, between said belt and the perineal straps iii 'said clasps shoulder and the nut 29 on the inner end of or said belt and straps through said clasps. the post.

' At each looped terminal of the belt L1 and r1`he helical spring 28 for each post 25 of the connection 6 is a fastener 16, and at has its inner end firmly attached to the 100 the front looped terminal of each strap 5 is front of the pad 1 in which such spring is a fastener 17. The fasteners 16 have slots located. As a means of attachment, for 18 which open out of recesses 19 therein. each spring 28,1 may provide said spring The fasteners 16 might be substituted for at the inner end with an enlargement 31 4o the fasteners 17 and vice versa, for that which is rectangular in cross-section, and 105 matter, has a reduced part 32 that fits into a slot Each pad 1 is hollow and has perforations 33 in the front of the pad 1 to which said 2O in both the back and front sides. Said enlargement is attached, and secure the ad is usually made of metal, and constructlatter to said pad by means of a bolt 34 and ed in two parts or sections wliichare screwa nut 35-see Eig. 6. Each bolt 31 passes 11o threaded at their edges and united by being through a longitudinal opening in one o screwed together, as represented at 21 in the members 31, with the head 0f Such bolt F1913 3, bearing against the outside of the front o Covers, wrappers, or protectors 22 are the pad 1 which carries said parts, and the provided for the pads 1. The protectors 22 nut 35, which is on the inner end of said 115 are made out of some suitable fabric, are of bolt, forces the shouldered part of said a size and shape which enables them, not member 31 against the inside of said front only to forni backings for the pads 1 and of the pad, and draws said head tightly the fasteners 16 and 17, but to be folded againstsaid outside of said front. This is 55. over the edges of said pads and around said made possible because the length of the re- 120 fasteners and the looped portions of the duced part 32 of each enlargement 31 is less belt 11, connections 6, and straps 5, so that than the thickness of a pad front. It will such parts can not come into direct contact now be seen that the enlargements 31, with with the esh. rEhe protectors 22 may be 'their springs 28, are securely and rigidly sewed into place on the pads 1 and their aflixedto the front sides of the pads 1. 125 connections, or otherwise secured,v 'either Auxiliary .springs 36 of the spiral type permanently or temporarily, snap-fasteners are also provided in the pads 1, for the pur- 23 of ordinary construction being here pose of augmenting the force of the helical shown. The snap-fasteners 23 enable the springs 28. The springs 36 are arranged protectors 22 to be easily and quickly rein such a manner, between the ends of the 13o springs 28 te which the pos'ts 25 are attached and adjacent parts of the side walls of the pads, that said springs 36 exert an inward pressure on said ends of said springs 28 and said posts. The outer ends of the springs 36 are held in place by lugs 37 which project inwardly from the side walls of the pads into said springs, and the inner ends of said springs are held in place by lugs 38 which project into said springs from the ends of the springs 28 that embrace the posts 25.

The arrangement of the springs 28 and 36 is such that said springs normally retain the posts 25 at the inner ends of the slots 24. The slots 24' both limit the movement of and guide the posts 25. Said posts afford points of attachment for the slotted fasteners 16, as well as for the fasteners 17, said fasteners 16 being slipped on and off over the heads 26 (or hooks, as 27) which latter are receivable in the recesses 19, in the manner customary with fasteners of this type.

The slotted fasteners 16 form pivotal connections with their posts 25 of such a nature that the belt 4 and the connection 6 can move freely, relative to the attached pads, without disturbing the latter or turn` ing or twisting the same on the hernial spots. Pivotal movement of the fasteners 17 might be obtained` if desired, by leaving the nuts 29 slightly loose.

he springs 28 and 36 afford the required amount of flexibility for the body straps, yielding by contraction when such straps are drawn away from the pads, and expanding t0 take up slack, thus keeping said straps taut at all times, so that the straps need not be made of elastic material, although elastic material may be employed, if desired.

The truss is first applied by encircling the body with the belt 4, bringing the perineal straps 5, with the pads 1 attached thereto, up between the legs, and attaching the fasteners 16, including those of the connection 6 in the event the latter be not already in place, to said pads. At this time and as a part of the adjusting and fastening operations, the pads 1 are located directly over the hernial spots. The slotted fasteners 16 are slipped into place, over the post heads 26, and then moved outwardly to locate the upper posts 25 in the outer ends of the slots 18, such outer ends bein between the front of the pads and said heads. The iirst time that the truss is applied, and at other times if necessary, the belt 4 and the perineal straps 5 are adjusted, as may be required to locate the pads 1 in proper position and arrange them so that they fit securely but comfortably the body of the wearer, by drawing' the straps comprising said belt and perineal straps through the clasps 7 to lengthen or shorten them as needed. The precise manner of adjusting the belt 4 and the straps 5 will be understood from the drawings and the explanation hereinbefore given.

To facilitate the removal of the truss from the body, one or more of the fasteners 16 may be detached or disconnected, which can be done without opening either of the protectors 22, provided thelatter do not fit too tightly the pads and connections. And the same fastener or fasteners must, of course, be again connected when the truss is replaced on the body.

The fasteners 17 are permanently attached to their posts 25, because it is not necessary to disconnect the straps 5 from the pads 1, when provision is made for disconnecting the belt 4 from said it would be a simple matter to render said straps disconnectible, as previously explained.

These pads being thoroughly ventilated are sanitary and comfortable.

The connection 6 is really, of course, one of the body straps or a part of the belt element, being in fact an auxiliary, detached or detachable portion of the belt 4.

The shape, size, arrangement, and construction of the truss elements may be modied or changed, even beyond that I have herein specifically shown and explained, without departing from the spirit of my invention or exceeding the scope of my claims.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, in a truss, with a belt and a hollow slotted pad,

means to secure the inner ends of said springs to said pad and prevent such ends from turning on their axes, posts for said fasteners, and means to attach said posts at their inner terminals to the free ends of said springs, said posts extendingv thiough and operating in the slots in said pa 2. The combination, in a truss, of a belt and a perineal ers, a hollow slotted pad, helical springs in said pad and having their cured thereto, and fastener-engaging niembers attached at their inner terminals to the free ends of said springs, and extending through and operating in the slots in said with said perineal strap being permanently attached to one of said fastener-engaging members, and the fasteners connected with said belt being attachable to and detachable from the others of said members.

3. The combination, with a hollow slotted truss pad, of helical springs in said pad, the inner ends of said springs bein enlarged and seated in the slots provided for them in a wall of said pad, bolts passing through said wall and the enlarged parts of said springs, nuts on said bolts to bind said enlargedparts to said wall, the latter and said enlarged parts being clamped between the heads of said bolts and said nuts, and posts carried at the outer ends of said springs.

4:. The combination, with a hollow slotted truss pad, of helical springs in said pad and having their inner ends secured thereto, shouldered posts carried at the free terminals of said springs, and nuts on said posts to confine the parts of said springs, that engage said posts, between the shoulders on the posts and said nuts, to secure said posts to said springs, said posts being guided and having their movement limited by the edges of the slots in said pad. l

5. The combination, with a hollow slotted truss pad, of helical springs in said pad, the inner ends of said springs being enlarged and seated in the slots provided for them in said pad, bolts and nuts arranged to bind the enlarged parts to said pad, `shouldered posts carried at the outer ends of said springs, and nuts on said posts to secure the latter to said springs, said posts operating in other slots provided for them in said pad.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ive cents each, by addressing the in a truss, with a belt and a perineal strap provided with fasteners, of a hollow pad, helical springs in said pad and having their inner ends secured thereto, fastener-engaging members attached to the outer ends o said springs, and auxiliary springs arranged in said pad to bear against said outer ends of said helical springs and assist in retaining normally said fastener-engaging members in normal position.

7. The combination, in al truss, with a belt and a perineal strap provided with fasteners, of a hollow slotted in said pad and having their inner ends secured thereto, fastener-engaging members attached at their inner terminals to the free ends of said springs, and extending through and operating in the slots in said pad, and auxiliary springs arranged in said pad to bear against said free ends oi said helical springs and assist in retaining normally said astener-engaging members at the inner ends of said slots.

WALLACE WENZEL.

6. The combination,

Witnesses:

F. A. GUTTER, H. G. CUTIER.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

pad, helical springs 

